as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fall back
Lows are expected to fall back down to the 20s on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
—
Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
Both pitchers have a will to win and long careers of achievement to fall back on – Verlander with 20 seasons and Scherzer 18.
—Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Giovanna had fallen back asleep.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
Little bursts of dub delay flare without warning, kicking up dust devils; every now and then, the telltale sweep of the pitch-bend wheel flicks upward like a fast-rising tide and then, after a minute or two, falls back into place.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
Both pitchers have a will to win and long careers of achievement to fall back on – Verlander with 20 seasons and Scherzer 18.
—Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Giovanna had fallen back asleep.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
Little bursts of dub delay flare without warning, kicking up dust devils; every now and then, the telltale sweep of the pitch-bend wheel flicks upward like a fast-rising tide and then, after a minute or two, falls back into place.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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The Kremlin insisted that to reach a peace deal, Kyiv must withdraw its troops from the areas in the east that Russia illegally annexed but never fully captured.—
KAMILA HRABCHUK,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
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Back in June 2025, Baldoni’s team withdrew their bid to subpoena Swift, and instead successfully petitioned for access to said text exchanges.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trump’s remarks Wednesday, suddenly retreating from his threat of military force, could mitigate some of the damage inflicted on Washington’s most cherished relationships.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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Start the day with a swim in one of the hotel’s three infinity pools before retreating to the bar for a lunchtime cocktail, or the spa for pampering.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rieder’s odds topped 60% on Polymarket and Kalshi this weekend before dropping back slightly, while the previous front runner Warsh saw his odds fall sharply to around 30%.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes dropped back to throw on 4th-and-short, but the Texans covered his primary target out of the backfield.—
Sam McDowell
January 23,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After the game, Pats defensive tackle Milton Williams pulled out the disrespect card, saying that people have not paid enough attention to his team’s defensive performance.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
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They’re designed to be hard to pull out and may require a little work to remove.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Roberts retired from coaching after last season.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Jan. 2026
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Bill Elliott, Caleb Elliott's father, retired from his position as head coach and athletic director.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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